KENT, N.Y. – Richard Light realizes it is time to sell the Kent home that has been owned by members of his family for the last 99 years. Reluctantly, he is doing so.

“It’s a charmer,’’ said Light, who has lived in the farmhouse with his family since 1961. “It’s a little bit of heaven right here.”

The four-bedroom, two-bath home at 581 Ludingtonville Road was built in 1863, and his great aunt purchased the home in 1915. Light lived on another home nearby before moving to the home with his parents and sister in 1961. His parents died within the past four years, and the home and property is too much for Light and his sister to maintain. “I hate to let it go,’’ Light said, “but it has to be done.”

The home has 1,894 square feet and 1.1 acres. It is being listed by Coldwell Banker agent Margot Friedlander for $229,500. Complete details are available online.

The home has been updated several times over the years. “It was first modernized in 1961,’’ Light said. “There were no indoor bathrooms or running water. Prior to that we had to use an outhouse. That was a great improvement. My great aunt couldn’t get over it. There was also a rock basement.”

Light and his family have continually renovated the home, which features beautiful hardwood floors throughout the house. The first floor has a kitchen, family room, guest room/office, dining room and sun porch. There are four large bedrooms upstairs.

Light said the buyer will find surprises throughout the house. “There are secret cubbyholes my great uncle incorporated into the place,’’ Light said. “The stairwell is very unique. It’s a winding staircase with two landings. You’ll look down and see a little door that opens up underneath the stairs for storage. The first stair was a ‘secret stair.’ It’s where he kept his shoe repairing supplies. There’s a ‘little attic’ with a storage area in the whole backside of the house. There are cabinets built into the walls upstairs with shelving. I haven’t seen that in any other place.”

The charming interior features are complimented by a private and landscaped exterior. Light promises the buyer will enjoy the sun porch off the dining room and the wildlife that abounds in the area. “There’s every kind of bird you can imagine,’’ he said. “You’ll see rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels and even the occasional skunk. I think the wildlife is the thing I’m going to miss the most.”

For all of its privacy, the home is close to Interstate 84 and offers easy commutability to southern Westchester, western Fairfield County and Dutchess County. “I remember when they put 84 through,’’ Light said. “It’s an easy commute to wherever you want to go. It’s convenient to shopping.”

Light said he also enjoyed the neighborhood, where people respected each other’s privacy. “They don’t bother you,’’ he said. “But if you need something, they’re right there.”